Whenever it is confirmed that Marvel Studios will have a Comic-Con panel, fans are often left to guess which movies the studio will showcase that particular year. This year, the studio returned after skipping the con last year, and we knew going on that Guardians of the Galaxy 2 and Doctor Strange would be part of the presentation. Since production had started just a few weeks ago in Australia, most weren't surprised when the cast of Thor: Ragnarok wasn't in attendance, but Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige didn't leave this movie out of the presentation, by confirming the new cast members and releasing the official logo.
Marvel also debuted an amusing skit put together by director Taika Waititi, which Kevin Feige teased was in response to the filmmaker's constant queries about why Thor doesn't appear in Captain America: Civil War. Various reports from the panel revealed that this video is presented as a mini documentary that shows how stressed out Thor has become, and he has moved to New Zealand to become roommates with a guy named Darryl. There are scenes where Thor is talking with Bruce Banner, who is shocked that Thor hasn't heard about what has happened between Iron Man and Captain America. There was also a sizzle reel that debuted during the panel, but that hasn't arrived online quite yet either, but we'll be sure to keep you posted if and when these videos surface.
Thor 3 is being shot in Queensland, Australia at Village Roadshow Studios, which we saw part of in a video Chris Hemsworth sent from the set earlier this month. Production is expected to last through October with additional pick-up days scheduled for 2017. For the shoot, star Chris Hemsworth, who plays Thor, is moving his entire family to the Gold Coast for the duration of the shoot. The actor is a Melbourne, Australia native, with Cate Blanchett, who plays the new villain Hela also hailing from the country.
Two-time Oscar-winner Cate Blanchett joins this Marvel Studios' adventure as the mysterious and powerful new villain Hela, along with Jeff Goldblum, who joins the cast as the eccentric Grandmaster, Tessa Thompson who will bring the classic hero Valkyrie to life on the big screen, and Karl Urban who will add his might to the fray as Skurge. Rounding out the cast for the film is three-time Oscar-nominee Mark Ruffalo, reprising his role of Bruce Banner/the Hulk from Marvel's The Avengers and Marvel's Avengers: Age of Ultron. They will be joined by returning stars Chris Hemsworth (Thor) Tom Hiddleston (Loki), Idris Elba (Heimdall) and Anthony Hopkins (Odin).
Marvel also revealed Hulk's gladiator armor at SDCC, which essentially confirms a number of different plot rumors. One report called this movie a "mashup" of the Planet Hulk comic book story line, which fans have long wanted to see on the big screen. After taking off for parts unknown in Avengers: Age of Ultron, it is reportedly revealed in Thor: Ragnarok that Hulk has landed on some sort of gladiator planet. After the villainous Hela (Cate Blanchett) banishes Thor (Chris Hemsworth) from Asgard and destroys his hammer Mjolnir, Thor winds up on this gladiator planet where he's reportedly forced to fight the current champion, Hulk. Take a look at this video from Marvel's Comic-Con panel, and, in case you missed it, you can also check out the logo and photos of Hulk's gladiator armor below.
